Siskiyou Union High School - White and Gold Yearbook (Weed, CA)

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'fran war Jar First Prize Story It was a very quiet basketball squad, that gathered in the dressing room of, State University. The reason for every one being so quiet, was that the new coach of State was going to name the players who would start the game against Brent- wood two days later. Brentwood was State's first league game, and one that State was favored to win easily. This was supposed to be the best team that had ever represented State in basketball. There wasn't much doubt in any of the players' minds who would start the game because there wasn't a person at State that didn't know of the five stalwarts , who were composed of lim Brown at forward, Tom Iones at forward, Hal Siefert at center, Kenny Wade at guard and, last but not least, Captain Bill Smith, the most popular player to ever play on a State team. As Coach Blaine started to read the names of the team, the players sat forward. At center, Siefert, forwards, Iones and Brown, guards Wade and Robey. There was a gasp of amazement from the squad when the coach finished. Why Bill Smith the best player of the team wasn't starting no one knew, but they thought the coach had a lot of nerve starting Robey, a boy that had come from the coach's home town, instead of Bill Smith. Tough luck, Bill, said Tom Iones. Tough luck nothing, replied Hal Siefert, Bill's best friend. lt's a dirty deal Bill's getting, and you know it. Bill Smith said nothing, but as he walked home he did his best to think why he had been demoted, and the only answer he could come to was that the coach just didn't like him. He knew he was a better player than Robey. As Bill entered his room, he was wondering if he should quit the team, but as he thought of that he remembered his brother. His brother who had been a great athlete at State, and who had taught Bill practically everything he knew about athletics. Bill adored this older brother of his, had tried to pattern his life as closely as was possible to his brother Iim's. They had both gone to the same schools, made comparative records, that is until now. Iim had been captain of State's basketball team in his senior year, 'and ,fwhen Bill was elected captain he had felt sure that his goal was won. He had matched his brother's record. But now everything assi i 7 it r J LITERARY egg?

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MURIEL KING, Tulelake Hiqh School. jon, ' u,P1Jzr, First Prize Poem To you I come to seek contentment: To hide from fear, and hurt, and resentment, To rest, when days seem long and endless, And all the world seems angry cmd friendless You never desert P me in my needs. You're always there to hear my pleas. My friend you are, and always will be: A lonely, stocky, broken-down pine tree. GLORIA CHUELA '40, McCloud High School. l ,fi - 1, 5 g r -25? f . -I Eg? g, Ahaiag R 22 -' -I LITERARY

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was lost, he was a second stringer, his brother had never been a second Stringer, never anything but first string. As Bill thought it over he decided he would quit. Surely they couldn't treat him like this, not Bill Smith. Why he had been iirst team for two years, and for his excellent playing, was rewarded by being elected captain. He would quit, but as he entered his bedroom fhe glanced at a picture ot his brother, that he kept on the wall above his bed. He had often looked at this picture when he had problems to solve, and it had always helped him to decide right. As he looked at the picture he thought ot the time he graduated from high school, and had proudly told his brother that he was entering State. He could remember his brother's words as well as it his brother had said them just yesterday. Bill, l'm very glad for you kid, but l want to give you some advice. You're entering a school oi tough competition. l know you're plenty good, but there are players at State that are your equal, or better, then the coach may pick an inferior player over you. Now Bill, don't get madp just keep plugging along, play your best and, remember this, never quit, as nobody wants a quitterp it the coach ever picks an interior player instead ot you, just keep playing all the harder, and remember this, 'Class, though sometimes late, Always Tells' . As Bill Smith went to bed there was only one thing he wished tor, and that was tor the game with Brentwood, he'd show that coach, he would show him better basketball than he had ever seen before. But the Brentwood game was played, and to the amazement ot all State's rooters, Bill Smith didn't even get to play. State's starting tive played the whole game, and had just managed to win out by two points in the last minute of playing time. That night as Bill and Hal were walking home, they discussed the game. Gosh, Bill, it we had had you in there we would have won easily, I think the coach ought to be shot. Maybe he's right Hal, maybe Robey is better than me. Better than you. Don't make me laugh, you're the best player in State and you're getting a rotten deal, and it it were me, I'd kick and kick plenty, re- plied his churn. As Bill left Hal and continued home the desire to quit the team came to him again. l'll quit, that's what I'll do, he told himself. -D , - 1 Q Q , . 3, Ll-, ,S -'5::- ,- , -- - -. - Y gt :-L. fi 5 .1'x::'5: ? , get 5 gs-Y 24 2' wr -, 7 ' ' XL: v .- , - - . ':'.-5 ' ,4 , -:-- 'SY fi fc-eff: :EA B LITERARY